Lovely Music: Hosted by Joe Whip

It’s been awhile since my last installment [on AudioStream] as I have been busy with life but thought it was time for another go round with some stellar music. Some mainstream and some a bit edgy but worth your time.

Till Bronner: Nightfall (Sony Masterworks, 2018)

This one is a bit off the beaten path as you don’t normally see jazz recordings with just trumpet and bass but this one is worth a look. This recording pairs German trumpeter Till Bronner with bassist Dieter Ilg. Yes, it is adventurous and a bit of a hit or miss affair. But, when it hits, it knocks it out of the park. Take the opening track, “A Thousand Kisses Deep”. It is stunningly beautiful. The recording quality is superb as well.

I have seen the Jeff Hamilton Trio numerous times and this recording captures them perfectly. This Trio is as tight as one would expect, given that they have been together for 17 years. The Trio features Jeff Hamilton on drums, Tamir Hendelman on piano and Christoph Luty on bass. The sound is live and dynamic with deep bass, putting you right in the club. I wish the sound of drums on all recordings sounded this good.

Terry Gibbs:92 Years Young: Jammin’ At The Gibbs’ House (Whaling City Sound, 2017)

What do you get when you gather 92 year old Terry Gibbs on vibes, his son Gerry on piano, Mike Gurrola on bass and John Campbell on piano in Terry Gibb’s living room and set up a few mics? Why, fun, fun, fun. This is a fantastic recording and a joy to listen to. I can’t help but move on the couch every time is set down to listen to it. Check it out!

This is probably my favorite of Canadian singer Diana Panton’s releases. Excellent sound and it features her captivating voice against a background of in various combinations, piano, guitar and bass. Lovely it is.

This recording is a rip of the DSD layer of the SACD release of this fantastic live date. The Quintet consists of Cannonball on Alto, his brother Nat on Cornet, Bobby Timmons on piano, Sam Jones on bass and Louis Hayes on drums. The music here is fantastic, as is the sound. You are right there in the club with the band members so close that you fell like you can reach out and touch them. This is a go to recording for me and one that sounds best at 1 am with the lights out.

This is another rip of the DSD layer of the SACD release of this title. Milt Jackson on Vibes, Wes Montgomery on guitar, Wynton Kelly on piano, Sam Jones on bass and Philly Joe Jones on drums. Stellar sound meets jazz masters. On most of the tracks, Wes Montgomery’s guitar just jumps out at you through the speakers. Just like it would have live. Thrilling stuff.